Mark with Japanese Mark: 明治四未年　二月日　作之 "Meiji yon | #459129

明治四未年　二月日　作之 "Meiji yon hitsujidoshi nigatsuhi korewo tsukuru". This mark is from a tsuba and was made by Naokazu, who worked as a sword engraver (soukenkinkou) in Echigo Province (present-day Niigata Prefecture) for the Toda house. Soukenkinkou is the Japanese name for metalworkers who design accessories for bladed weapons. A tsuba is a sword guard designed to protect the hand from contact with the blade. It also balances the weight of the sword.